Brisbane Festival10:25 AM on Wed 05 Sep 2012

It’s just not for the footy finals either; although my team have made the NRL finals they’ll play their games in Townsville and Sydney, which makes it a bit difficult when you work weekends in Brisbane. And it’s sure as hell not any upcoming holidays, what with a recent trip across the ditch to New Zealand a couple of months ago and no future plans as yet.

No, what’s exciting is this year’s Brisbane Festival. They’ve been setting up for the Santos GLNG City of Lights in the last couple of weeks; if last year is anything to go by we’re in for a twice-nightly (thrice-nightly Friday and Saturday) laser show visible all along the Brisbane River. They’ve even set up a lounge down at South Bank where you can grab a drink, sit back and enjoy the show!

While down at South Bank it’s worthwhile checking out the Light Sphere and the International Lantern Garden – both very different ways of seeing the light so to speak – or just having a late-night beverage at the Wunder Bar. If you’re just cruising around the city, the Spiegeltent in King George Square will host some wicked music and comedy.

The big names also come out to play. The Vienna Boys Choir make their first Australian appearance since 2005 with a performance at the Powerhouse September 9; for something a little more adult check out "Soap – The Show", direct from sell-out shows in Edinburgh, London and Berlin. There’s plenty more to check out in the guides available at Base Backpackers Brisbane Central – but you need to be quick! The show Boundary Street is already that close to sold out that it’s not funny.

Of course, what good’s a festival without a grand finale? The Brisbane Riverfire finishes the festival on September 29 with a fireworks spectacular you’ll share with 2.15 million of your closest friends. You definitely want to book your Brisbane accommodation early for this one – it’s going to be big!